The Datafile PD-CD 5/DATAFILE_PDCD5.iso/education/b/medieval/Genesis/TextFile

Text File | 1995-10-26 | 2KB | 43 lines

Text from the information sign on the terrace of Senlac Hill.


In 1066 the Battle of Hastings was fought here. At this time
the hill slope was probably scrubby heathland and the
valley bottom ill-drained and marshy. Over the centuries the
use of this land underwent a number of changes.

After the foundation of the abbey in 1070 much of its local
extate was used to produce food for the monks. This hill
slope was part of the Great Park which had some arable
land, some pasture and woodland for timber, but was
maintained largely for hunting and horse breeding. One
week in four the peasants who held land from the abbey
were obliged to work in the Great Park or the fields near
the abbey.

Fish were required for the monks and the abbey's guests.
The valley below you was dammed to create a series of
fishponds which are still visible, though silted and marshy.
The cellarer monk was responsible for provisions and his
account for 1275 mentions the sum of 2d for 'breaching
the large fish pond against the arrival of the king.'

After the dissolution of the abbey in 1538 this land became
part of the country house estate. The fishponds were
probably adapted in the late 17th century to provide water
power for gunpowder mills. In the 18th century this
hillslope was part meadow, part hop garden. This terrace
was then a carriage road leading into the park, but in the
early 19th century it was converted into a terrace and
planted with fig trees. In her History of Battle Abbey (1877)
the Duchess of Cleveland wrote that visitors were allowed
round the abbey on Tuesdays and many of them picnicked
in the park. So much work was required to clear away the
debris of these 'rural feasts' and the Duke decided to keep
the park gate locked.

During the 2nd World War the abbey was used as a
Canadian and British army base. The land was ploughed
and cultivated as part of the country's drive for
self-sufficiency.